hands up

Heights favorite sushi spot now serving hand rolls in Spring Branch

A popular Heights restaurant has arrived in Spring Branch. Hando is now serving sushi hand rolls, small plates, and cocktails in the Spring Branch Village shopping center (8141 Long Point Rd.).

The new location is similar to the original Hando that opened in 2019. A slightly larger space means its sushi counter seats 30 people — six more than the Heights. The intimate restaurants found in Japanese train stations inspired the space’s design.

“We can’t wait to share the Hando experience with this neighborhood,” co-owner Jason Andaya said in a statement. “Everyone on the team has been working so hard to make sure Spring Branch gets the same friendly service, fresh food, and creative drinks that our Heights guests have enjoyed over the last four years.”

Chef Man Nguyen's menu is built around set offerings of three, four, or five hand rolls along with a la carte offerings. In order to ensure the nori wrapper stays crispy, rolls are prepared and served individually. Small plates such as Brussels sprouts, gyoza, and izakaya-style skewers round out the offerings. Limited time specials add a touch of novelty. They're paired with creative cocktails, sake, and beer.

The Heights location has a companion cocktail bar called Kanpai Club. Spring Branch has a similar, speakeasy-style spot, but it’s under wraps for now. A representative tells CultureMap details about it will be released soon.

“We’re very excited to announce that our second Hando restaurant has opened in Spring Branch,” co-owner Raymond Chan added. “We looked at other areas, but a number of factors, including the mix and caliber of restaurants in the neighborhood, made Spring Branch the logical choice.”

As he notes, Hando is located in the same shopping center as a number of other restaurants, including The Blind Goat, Feges BBQ, Stuffed Belly, Jinya Ramen, Slowpokes, and Barnaby’s. Spring Branch also recently welcomed Texas comfort food restaurant Wild Oats, a second location of Underbelly Burger, and The Decoy, a lively sports bar with volleyball courts.

Courtesy of Hando

The design is inspired by Japanese train stations.

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there's the rub

Restaurant known for 'new Houston cuisine' now open in Cypress

Courtesy of Jonathan's the Rub

Jonathan's the Rub serves steaks and other dishes.

A restaurant known for its eclectic “new Houston cuisine” has opened in Cypress. The fourth location of Jonathan’s the Rub is now open for dinner in Bridgeland (20215 Bridgeland Creek Parkway).

First announced last year, the new Jonathan’s is located in Village Green, a 70-acre mixed-use development within the 925-acre Bridgeland Central district. The 5,500-square-foot restaurant includes two patios totaling 2,600 square feet, giving the restaurant plenty of room for private dining rooms, a bar area, and indoor-outdoor areas with fire pits and greenery.

“We were looking for the next frontier — a community with a booming population and a clear vision for growth that aligns with our brand,” chef-owner Jonathan Levine said in a statement. “When we discovered Bridgeland and learned it was a Howard Hughes development, we were immediately impressed. With their reputation for developing generational communities, we felt confident that Bridgeland was the right place for our family and for Jonathan’s the Rub.”

Like Jonathan’s three other locations, the menu at Bridgeland is built around Levine’s signature “new Houston cuisine,” a kicked-up take on comfort food that includes everything from lobster tacos and blackened shrimp and grits to Italian American classics and steakhouse fare.

Village Green is also home to H-E-B and restaurants such as Sweet Paris Crêperie & Café and Crust Pizza Co. Austin-based burger joint P. Terry’s will open there next year.

“Jonathan’s the Rub’s arrival in Bridgeland Central brings a distinguished addition to the culinary scene in both the community and northwest Houston,” said Jim Carman, president of the Texas region, for Bridgeland developer Howard Hughes Communities. “We’re proud to partner with exceptional restaurateurs like Chef Jonathan Levine to bring elevated dining experiences that enhance the lifestyle offerings for our residents and neighbors.”

Courtesy of Jonathan's the Rub

Jonathan's the Rub serves steaks and other dishes.

hands up

Heights favorite sushi spot now serving hand rolls in Spring Branch

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